Toulouse Olympique won 21-20 against Bradford and will meet the big favorite Wakefield in the Championship final.
Toulouse Olympique started the game perfectly with a try from Benjamin Laguerre in the corner in the second minute of play. Jake Shorrocks did not convert but a few minutes later Paul Ulberg scored in his turn. The conversion is missed again but the score is already 8-0.
In the 20th minute of play, the Bulls woke up and scored through Jordan Lilley who converted his own try. Bradford finds himself outnumbered at the end of the first act but Toulouse will crack again despite everything. Franklin Pele scores under the posts and it’s transformed again. 8-12 is the score at the break.
The TO of a breath
The start of the second act is quite balanced and the blunders on both sides prevent new points from being scored. We had to wait until the hour mark and a new yellow card for Bradford to see Toulouse take the lead again. Guy Armitage is the finisher and Jake Shorrocks adds the conversion, 14-12.
Ten minutes from the end, Anthony Marion gave the TO some breathing room and the Olympian scorer took the points, 20-12. The Bulls did not give up and Lilley scored a penalty, 20-14. Eloi Pélissier’s drop behind the down allowed Toulouse to protect themselves from a converted try, 21-14. With two minutes left to play, Appo scores for Bradford and with Lilley’s transformation, Toulouse are only one point ahead, 21-20.
This point will be crucial because it offers victory to Toulouse, who qualifies for the Championship final. The TO will challenge Wakefield next Saturday on the Trinity pitch.
